Top 10 "Serious" OSHA Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, commonly referred to as OSHA, is in charge of assuring safe and healthy working conditions through established standards, education, training, and assistance. Each year, OSHA releases reports about the most cited violations, the most serious violations, and willful violations committed with disregard or indifference to OSHA requirements.

Often resulting in sever physical injury or death, the "serious" violations committed in the workplace concern OSHA especially. Below, the top 10 "serious" OSHA violations reported in 2014 are listed, including some statistics and tips for minimizing each type of potential hazard.

#1 - Fall Protection

The highest cited serious violation in 2014 was fall protection. In 2014, there were 6,348 fall protection violations reported. OSHA standards require employers to construct and install safety systems to prevent falls in the workplace. These regulations are specifically designed for employees working on surfaces with an unprotected edge more than six feet in the air

For more information on fall protection standards, you can visit OSHA's website. If you own or work for a construction business and need training, considering taking an OSHA Fall Protection Certificate Course for the Construction Industry found here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Provide employee supervision to prevent falls
Protect sides and edges with a barrier
Test the stability of surfaces to prevent falling through
Use extra caution on steep and low-slope roofs

#2 - Scaffolding

Similarly, scaffolding, the second highest rated serious violation in 2014, poses serious safety risks for workers. There were 4,533 total serious violations reported that year. To ensure worker safety, a qualified person must design, construct, and load scaffolding using a tested layout. This OSHA regulation is especially important for construction workers who are working at heights greater than 10 feet.

For more information on scaffolding regulations, visit OSHA's "A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry". For training on OSHA's scaffolding regulations, you can earn a certificate of completion here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Provide barriers around edges to prevent falls
Use guardrail supports on platforms
Limit worker access to scaffolding areas
Pay attention to the weight capacity on scaffolding structures

#3 - Hazard Communication

Hazard communication, which had 3,282 serious hazard communications violations reported in 2014, involves chemical hazards that appear in the workplace. This includes chemicals produced at the job site and ones brought in for use on the job. OSHA requires employers to properly train and communicate with employees about these hazards.

More information regarding Hazard Communication can be found here. You can also receive training on OSHA Hazard Communication Standards here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Improve employee training and provide continuing education about chemicals
Maintain safety data sheets
Ensure that informative labels are placed on all chemical containers

#4 - Ladders

Ladders are used in a variety of workplaces and continue to be one of the top safety hazards, reaching 2,688 reported violations in 2014 alone.

You can read the general ladder requirements on OSHA's website here or take a detailed class regarding specific ladder and stairway regulations here to earn a certificate of completion.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Ensure ladder side rails extend at least 3 feet above upper surface
Only use ladders for their intended purpose
Remove defective ladders from the workplace
Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces

#5 - Lockout/Tagout

OSHA lockout/tagout violations are related to the standards for controlling hazardous energy during the maintenance and servicing of workplace equipment. There were 2,447 serious lockout/tagout violations reported in 2014.

Learn more about the regulations here, and you can receive official OSHA training here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Ensure proper testing and positioning of equipment and machines
Inspect work areas to remove unnecessary items and verify that the equipment is intact
Train employees about energy control procedures

#6 - Machine Guarding

Machine guarding helps protect machine operators and employees in the vicinity from potential hazards, which include rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks. In 2014, 2,204 serious machine guarding incidents were reported.

More information on the OSHA's Machine Guarding regulations is available here. If you or your employees need Machine Guarding training, you can receive an official OSHA Machine Guarding Certificate through this class.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Properly anchor fixed machinery
Use extreme caution with blades
Monitor all points of operation

#7 - Powered Industrial Trucks

Powered industrial trucks include forklifts and motorized hand trucks used in the workplace. There were 2,198 of these serious violations reported in 2014.

Go to OSHA's website to learn more about the regulations regarding Powered Industrial Trucks.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Train operators according to OSHA standards
Ensure the competency of truck operators
Remove unsafe trucks until they are repaired

#8 - Electrical - Wiring Methods

OSHA requires businesses to adhere to certain safety requirements to prevent various hazards caused by electrical systems, which had 2,191 violations reported in 2014.

You can learn more about Wiring Methods here. You can take a course that covers Wiring Methods here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Carefully examine all electrical equipment before use
Disconnect means and circuits
Identify manufacturers and ratings of electrical systems

#9 - Respiratory Protection

Industries that handle toxic chemicals can put their employees at risk of respiratory conditions. There were 2,154 serious respiratory protection violations reported in 2014.

For more information on OSHA's Respiratory Protection standards, you can visit the website here.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Adhere to medical evaluation requirements
Incorporate respirator use and cleaning
Provide employees with respiratory protection training and information

#10 - Electrical - General Requirements

The last of the top 10 serious OSHA violations in 2014 is electrical safety's general requirements. There were 1,715 of these serious violations reported in 2014.

You can read about OSHA general requirements for electrical safety here, or take an OSHA Electrical Certificate Course here that provides training on the General Requirements as well as Wiring Methods.

Safety & Prevention Tips

Examine all electrical equipment before use
Identify relevant manufacturers and ratings
Identify devices, like pressure terminals and splicing connectors, and the the conductor's material to properly install and use them